Non Adherent Dressings

How to Choose Non-Adherent Dressing

Non-adherent dressings are ideal for open wounds that have light to moderate exudate. The non-adherent properties keep the fabric from sticking to the wound, even as the wound heals. This will give piece of mind to the patient, because there will be little to no pain during removal. Because of its gentle nature, this gauze will not disrupt any healing that takes place, nor will it leave any residue. Non-adherent gauze often needs a secondary dressing for absorption as well as a bandage to keep it on the wound. Many types of non-adherent gauze are treated with products that increase healing times by maintaining a moist environment or with an antiseptic to kill micro-organisms that interfere or cause infection.
Further information below describes the different types and predominant properties of non-adherent dressing.

Non-Adherent Dressing Guide Information
Choosing the right non-adherent dressing is typically based on wound type and doctor recommendation. It is always best to consult with your nurse or doctor to see what dressing is best. For chronic wounds, it may be necessary for a sterile, moist gauze, sometimes impregnated with petrolatum to keep a wet environment. For open non-dry wounds it is best to maintain a balance of aeration and a healthy moist wound bed for an optimal healing environment.

Non-Adherent Dressing Types and Applications

There are generally two distinct types of non-adherent gauze in a gauze-based dressing. There is synthetic non-woven gauze material, which makes up the majority of non-adhesive, and there is cotton based woven gauze with a non-adherent film. The film is typically a poly skin that rests against the wound bed and allows exudate to soak through the perforation into the woven gauze padding. The following are a select few examples from Vitality Medical along with their specific coatings or advantages:

Telfa AMD Non-Adherent Dressing: Includes a non-adherent sponge gauze impregnated with PHMB (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide) for wounds prone to infection -- also can be used as a primary dressing.

Xeroform Petrolatum Gauze: Another petrolatum-based non-adherent dressing that is mixed with 3 percent Bismuth Tribromophenate, which acts as a deodorant.

Curad Non-Adherent Pad: A dry, sterile, non-adherent pad that is used for the most variety of wound care applications.

Introducing the Non-Adherent Dressing to the Wound

With a wound dressing gauze selected, refer to the specific instructions given on the dressing packaging. It is important that you maintain a sterile environment and that gloves, cotton applicators, and whatever implements are used are also sterile or have been sterilized. Know how best to clean a wound and dry it, as instructed by a nurse or wound care specialist.

Before dressing the wound, have all of the supplies you need ready, including a biohazard bag, to reduce the chances of contamination.